April is Autism Awareness Month: What Can YOU Do to Help?

Since the 1970s, April has been the designated month for Autism Awareness. Over the past several decades, the amount of children with autism has been rapidly increased. Autism Speaks, an organization that holds fundraisers and events to benefit those with autism, released a statement with a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which showed that currently one in 88 children in the United States are being diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, this is double the rate of when the CDC first tracked the amount of autism cases. Now that over a million children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with autism, it has officially been declared an epidemic.

Autism is the general term used to describe a group of complex developmental disorders that make up the “autism spectrum”. This mental condition is seen in early childhood and makes it difficult for children to communicate verbally, form relationships, interact with others, use language and understand certain ideas and concepts. The following disorders make up the “autism spectrum”: Autistic Disorder, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Aspergers Syndrome. Sadly, there is no cure at this time, but therapy has proved to be helpful for many children, especially for those who are nonverbal.

Now that the rate in the U.S. has risen, it’s even more important that we all come together to ensure the number of cases of autism does not continue to rise. Even if you have never known someone with autism, your voluntary actions will make a huge difference. Here’s how you can show support and volunteer your time to an important cause:
 

• Join Speak Up! For Autism here at Penn State Berks

   This past fall semester I began a club to raise awareness and show support for those with autism and their families. We hold fundraisers and events, and the money we raise is going to Autism Speaks! If you would like to help us out at our events or donate, please contact either myself at mom5378@psu.edu or Katie Myers at klm5808@psu.edu     

• Wear Blue!

Even though Light It Up Blue day was Apr. 2, you can wear blue any day and still be showing support!

• Wear a Jigsaw Puzzle Piece Pin or Ribbon

Puzzle pieces are a symbol for Autism Awareness, colorful puzzle pieces! The colors within the puzzle are red, blue, yellow and aqua. Those are some pretty colors!

• Wear Bright Red, Bright Blue, or Aqua!

The brightness of the colors signifies hope, and we all hope for there to be a cure someday!

• Buy an Autism Awareness Bracelet

You can order these online in bulk and hand them out, or sell them for a small profit and give the money you receive to Autism Speaks! Speak Up! For Autism also has some left on sale for $3

• Participate in a Autism Speaks Walk!

Autism Speaks has many walks throughout the country during the year, and there are a few coming up right here in Pennsylvania! On Apr. 21, Autism Speaks is holding a walk in Lehigh Valley, and Speak Up! For Autism is heading there! If you would like to walk with us or donate, please contact Katie Myers! Other walks that will be happening in the next few months in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia during September, Pittsburgh on June 9, Laurel Highlands on the May 20, Blair County on the June 16, and Northeastern Pennsylvania on the Aug. 26!

• Come to Mr. Lion on April 23rd!

   On Apr. 23, watch some of your favorite campus guys strut their stuff on our auditorium stage! Tickets will be $2 and the money will be going to Autism Speaks! Tickets will be sold outside of Tully’s on Apr. 16, 18, and 20!

• Come to our FlapJack Fundraiser on April 29th!

      From 8am-10am on Sunday, Apr. 29, we will be having a FlapJack Fundraiser at the local Applebee’s! Come take a break from studying for finals and enjoy some pancakes while helping out a worthy cause! Tickets will be sold in advance outside of Tully’s for $5 and at the door for $7.

• Come to our craft day April 15th!

   From 12 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Lion’s Den, we will be having a craft day! These crafts are a good way for autistic children to work on their fine motor skills while also allowing them to express themselves creatively! Come do a craft or two and learn what we’re all about!

• Blow Bubbles For Autism on April 26th!

  If you want to be part of a Guinness World Record AND bring awareness to a worthy cause at the same time, come blow some bubbles on the PSC Lawn! From 1:14 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Apr. 26, we will be blowing bubbles for autism, trying to break the record for the largest amount of people blowing bubbles at a single time! There will be people all around the country doing this, so come be a part of history!

• Donate!

  Whether you donate to a local autism awareness organization or to Autism Speaks, your money WILL be going to a worthy cause!

Together we are working to find the missing piece of the puzzle, and we encourage you to join us in the fight! Please spread the word of Autism Awareness Month, and if you can, please volunteer or donate your time. I promise you it will be worth it!